Public Health Week 2026
National Public Health Week (NPHW) 2026 took place April 6-12. This year's theme "Ready. Set. Action!" encouraged us to appreciate progress in the field while looking forward to steps needed for an even healthier future. The American Public Health Association highlights four priority topics for 2026: Government Partners, Scientific Advancement, Community Leadership, and You Partner with Public Health.
On Friday, April 10, Washington County Public Health (WCPH) honored locally nominated people and partners for making great contributions to public health and those who promote and support a culture of health and well-being across communities. NPHW honorees this year include Heidi Behm from Oregon Health Authority; Dr. Luke Strnad and Angela Le from OHSU Division of Infectious Diseases; WCPH's Tuberculosis Program; WCPH Health Officer Dr. Christina Baumann; Tina Magsarili with the Medical Reserve Corps; Washington County WIC; HomePlate Youth Services; Washington County's Behavioral Health division; Sequoia Mental Health; The Dental Foundation of Oregon; Promotores Aliados Por Equidad & Liderazgo (PAPEL); Krystel Tafolla with Adelante Mujeres; Cindy Ocampo Perez with WCPH's Maternal, Child and Families branch; Nancy Flores with WCPH Emergency Services; Northwest Children's Outreach; and Susan Pinnock with the WCPH Maternal, Child and Families branch.
Additionally, the event also highlighted art from those participating in WCPH's Youth Art Competition. The competition invited local youth between the ages of 10-20 to creatively show how public health plays a role in our day-to-day lives. A panel of judges at WCPH judged submissions based on how they creatively reflect public health in day-to-day life. Winners by age categories are as below:
𝟭𝟬-𝟭𝟰 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗹𝗱:
First place – 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦, by Esther Park
Second place – 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘙𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘴, by Chloe Lin
Third place – 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘒𝘪𝘥, by Belen Angel Santiago
𝟭𝟱-𝟮𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗹𝗱:
First place – 𝘗𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘖𝘎𝘌𝘛𝘏𝘌𝘙 𝘢 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘖𝘔𝘖𝘙𝘙𝘖𝘞 by Elie Choe
Second place – 𝘈 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 by Hannah Gerber
Third place – 𝘗𝘜𝘉𝘓𝘐𝘊 𝘏𝘌𝘈𝘓𝘛𝘏𝘊𝘈𝘙𝘌 𝘐𝘚 𝘐𝘕 𝘖𝘜𝘙 𝘊𝘖𝘔𝘔𝘜𝘕𝘐𝘛𝘠 by Anarely Angel Santiago
The posters are viewable on Washington County's HHS Facebook page.
Past Public Health Week Award Honorees
- 2025: Angela Perry and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Oregon Chapter, Project Access NOW, • Senior Program Coordinator Magdalena Ramirez
- 2024: Lucia Benavides; Beaverton Resource Center, Pacific University's Reproductive Justice Action Team (RJAT), Tessa Robinson
- 2023: No awards this year.
- 2022: Medical Reserve Corps, Public Health Institute, Araceli Acosta with Beaverton City Library, Neighborhood Health Center, Providence Infectious Disease Consultants
- 2021: Naomi Hunsaker, Erin Parrish and Amy Manchester Harris; Dacia and Matt Graber; Adelante Mujeres Chicas Program; Sonrise Church
- 2020: No awards due to pandemic response.
- 2019: Ruth Zuniga, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Planned Parenthood Beaverton Teen Council, Andy Cartmill (Facebook album)
- 2018: Lisa Allen; Hillsboro Water Department, Banks High School Fire Science Students; Annette Evans (Facebook album)
- 2017: Sexton Mountain Walking School Bus Program; Rachel French and Neighborhood Health Center; Jared Kawatani; Erin Jolly (Facebook album)
- 2016: Rachel Parker; Fran Jensen and Nancy Winston; Century High School Student Health Advisory Council; Cynthia Valdivia (Facebook album)
- 2015: Herb Lommen, Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District and FamilyCare, Inc., Rebels for a Cause, Adam Knapp (Facebook album)
- 2014: Kaely Summers, Sonrise Church, Sierra Studnick, Sue Omel (Facebook album)
- 2013: Michelle Rodriguez; Tigard Turns the Tide
- 2012: Paul Hudak; Community Action Early Head Start and Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
- 2011: Marilyn Hickman, RN, BSN, BC; Providence Infections Disease Consultants
- 2010: Michelle Brady, RN, BSN; Adelante Mujeres, Adelante Agricultura
- 2009: Lisa Vincent; Community Action Organization, Opening Doors
- 2008: Loaves and Fishes Centers
- 2007: Susan Greathouse, RD/LD, MPH, IBCLC; Essential Health Clinic
- 2006: Jan Larsen, RN, BSN; TriMet
- 2005: Roberto Varona; Pacific University School of Physician Assistant Studies
- 2004: Lorene Piontkowski, RN; Forest Grove Family Resource Center
- 2003: Helen Emmons, RN; ¡Salud!
Check out our video for a look behind the scenes at Washington County Public Health.
National Public Health Week 2026 in person event
